Newry in shock after elderly brothers robbed and attacked again

Newry was in shock today after it emerged that two elderly brothers were attacked and robbed in their Newry homes by a gang of iron bar wielding men wearing masks. The two pensioners – Patsy Murtagh (81) and Jimmy Murtagh (83) – were attacked after the gang forced their way into their Lurganare Cross home at approximately 6.30pm on Monday evening.
The brother’s bedrooms were ransacked and one was assaulted after he tried to intervene. The gang then fled the house with the elderly men’s pensions. Both pensioners were later taken to Daisy Hill Hospital where they received treatment for minor injuries.
Speaking to Newry Times, Sinn Féin Mayor Charlie Casey expressed his disgust at the news. “I have particular concerns about the protection of the elderly and most vulnerable from this type of crime. Despite being robbed twice, this family was not considered eligible to have extra security fittings installed at their home. I urge the Housing Executive to target resources as a matter of urgency into placing additional security on the homes of our elderly. Recently it has been revealed that the Housing Executive is facing an under spend and will be returning many millions of pounds. Surely they could put some of this money into installing security lighting and systems on homes.”
Casey urged anyone with information to come forward and prevent other people becoming victims. The Mayor also revealed that this had been the third time that this family had faced the trauma of their homes being forcibly entered. “At this stage our thoughts are with the victims of this outrage. They are a respected family and this latest attack on them has caused not only great fear throughout the community but great anger. We have to apprehend those who are engaged in these vicious criminal acts and ensure that they face the full rigours of the law.”
Echoing his colleague’s comments Fews area Councillor Pat McGinn said,”People are afraid, they believe that those involved in these dastardly crimes seem to be able to carry out their attacks and robberies with no fear of apprehension.”

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